Sinner Acknowledges Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role in Tennis, Remains Uncertain on Grand Slam Future

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Following his victory at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner commented on the increasing prominence of Saudi Arabia in the tennis world, stating that the country will be “very important for us in the future.” While acknowledging the significant interest and investment in the sport, he expressed uncertainty regarding the possibility of Saudi Arabia hosting a Grand Slam event.

Saudi Arabia’s Ascent in Professional Tennis

Saudi Arabia has been making substantial inroads into professional tennis, mirroring its investments in other global sports. The nation hosted the Six Kings Slam, a lucrative exhibition tournament featuring top players like Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic. Sinner successfully defended his title at the event, defeating Alcaraz in the final. This tournament offered a record prize money, with Sinner taking home $6 million for his win.

Player Engagement and Perceptions

Sinner, who participated in the Riyadh event for five days, noted a significant change and growing interest in tennis within the country. “People are interested in our sport, in what we do, in how we play. The atmosphere has been excellent,” Sinner remarked, highlighting the passion of the crowd. He also emphasized the importance of exhibitions for promoting the sport and engaging with fans, especially children, whom he called “the future.” Sinner clarified that his participation was driven by the opportunity to compete against the world’s best players, not solely by the substantial prize money.

Fellow competitor Carlos Alcaraz also defended his participation in exhibition tournaments, citing the importance of bringing tennis to a wider audience. Novak Djokovic, who also competed in the Six Kings Slam, shared positive sentiments about Sinner, remarking on similarities in their playing styles.

The Grand Slam Question: Possibility or Speculation?

Despite the clear enthusiasm and financial commitment, the idea of Saudi Arabia hosting a fifth Grand Slam remains a point of speculation. When directly asked about this possibility, Sinner responded, “I don’t know. I don’t know how big it can be, although it has already made history for other reasons.” He emphasized the need for “teamwork, behind the scenes” to make tennis as big a sport as possible and expressed curiosity about future developments.

Broader Landscape of Tennis Investment

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been in “positive” talks with the ATP Tour regarding a new tournament, potentially a Masters 1000 event, as early as January 2025. There are also ongoing discussions about restructuring professional tennis, with proposals to create an elite tour for top-level players that would include Grand Slams and other major tournaments, potentially reducing players’ overall tour load. The WTA is also exploring a deal to host its annual season-ending championship in Saudi Arabia. These discussions underscore a broader movement within tennis to explore new revenue streams and potentially revamp the sport’s structure, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a significant player in these considerations.